Ford India today said it has received 30,000 bookings for its compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) EcoSport, within 17 days of its launch.

The statement comes in the backdrop of Ford India recalling nearly 1,000 diesel variants of the EcoSport to rectify defects in the instrument used as an aid in starting the engine, last week.

"Indian consumers have recognised the compelling value proposition the all-new Ford EcoSport offers them, resulting in the SUV attracting over 30,000 bookings in just 17 days of its launch," Ford India said in a statement.

It said the company is working on optimising deliveries and reducing the waiting time for the delivery.

"We had high expectations of the Ford EcoSport and the unabated response post the launch has been truly gratifying," said Ford India president and managing director Joginder Singh.

He added the Ford India team is working closely with the suppliers at its Chennai facility to enhance output of the EcoSport to reduce the waiting period.

EcoSport was launched on June 26 with its entry-level variant priced at Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Ford India has invested $142 million at its Chennai plant to manufacture EcoSport. It is also investing another $1 billion to set up its second production facility at Sanand in Gujarat that will be operational by 2014. The plant will have an installed output capacity of 2.4 lakh vehicles and 2.7 lakh engines annually.

With completion of the Sanand plant, Ford India will have a total installed capacity of rolling out 4.4 lakh vehicles and 6.1 lakh engines every year.